The following are a few examples
of
"Death Cards" that were printed in memory of German soldiers killed in
combat. Many religious faiths have a tradition similar to
this,
even in civilian life. Most German military "Death Cards" are
small
cards about 4 X 2 inch, printed on both sides. Usually one
side will have a photo of the deceased in uniform along with info about
him. The reverse side may have a traditional memorial scene or a
grave site scene and may include a poem. Some do not have
photos; a few will have a religious scene or message. Some Death
Cards
are printed on bi-fold card for a total of 4 pages. For security reasons, the identity of the
soldier's unit was omitted. In most cases, the place of death was
also omitted. This type of information might allow their enemy to
determine the strength or losses of the German units. The
examples I've
selected
were of interest to me because these men served in Italy and could have
fought against my Dad. .

This page contains Death Cards for the
following
individuals
who died in Italy:

Pvt. Franz Dullinger
-
a radioman in the artillery, killed 5 September 1944.

The "Death Card" of Pvt.
Franz Dullinger is a typical example of a death
card.
It is printed on a small 4-1/2X
2-3/4 inch paper, front and back, with a small
photo
on the front and a religious symbol on the reverse. This example
was selected because he was a radio operator in an Artillery
Regiment. His job may have been similar to my Dad's; i.e.
he probably operated the radio to direct artillery fire. He
was a decorated soldier who was killed in action on September 5, 1944,
during the heavy fighting at the Gothic Line.
Private Dullinger is the oldest soldier shown on this page. He
was buried in Pomezia, Block 23, Grave 20.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Prayer Rememberance of Franz
DullingerWritten by Imming, Parish Horbering Private First Classin the Artillery RegimentBearer the Iron Cross 2nd ClassThat on 5 September 1944 in Italy At the age of 31 Years.

You
have fought with the enemy under the highest tension of the battle.But now, you suffer nevermore, being redeemed by the hero's death.You eyes are closed for eternal rest,your restless hands are quiet now, extinguished is your
meek view,your life was of
short
fortune. Your dearest ones are
crying, untold is all their pain,cause your lovely, caring heart doesn't beat for them no more.

Dear
husband, dad, son and
brother ! How
severely we're suffering. But you
live near us by the spirit, until
once we'll meet again !Photo shows him
dressed
in an Army uniform and an M-43 cap, with the chevron rank of a Private
First Class. Also on his left sleeve, he wears a specialty
patch of a lightning bolt designating a radio operator.
In the
button
hole of his tunic is the ribbon for his Iron Cross 2nd Class.

This "Death Card" of Lt.
Karl Reuss is not exactly typical as it does not
have
a photo and is printed on one side on plain paper. The fold in
the
paper is noticeable. I obtained this one because he was German
artillery
officer in Italy and he was killed in May of 1944, when my Dad first
entered
combat. This 24-year old Officer earned the Iron Cross 1st Class
and 2nd Class, and a wound medal, as well as a campaign medal for
fighting in Russia. He definately had combat experience. It
would be interesting to know the identify of his unit and exactly where
in Italy he served in relation to where my Dad was located. He
was buried in Pomezia, Block Q, Grave 398.

{Translation
follows image}

{ Poem in Old
German}

The unavoidable fate of death presses us
down, only the hope of coming resurrection lifts us
up. For the ones, who believe in you, oh Lord, life can never be robbed, it will be
only transformed.

A soldier's life suffered a hero's death of our son, brother,
nephew and cousin on 30 May 1944 in Italy.

The
hero's
service takes place on Wednesday, 23 of August 1944, at 8 Ur in
Oberaudorf.

Franz Rauch
was a member of the Mountain Division. There were several German
mountain regiments and a mountain corps in Italy. The American
mountain
troops finally saw combat when the US 10th Mountain Division arrived in
February 1945. Franz Rauch held the rank of Stabsgefreiter
in a mountain regiment. His experience included the campaigns in
Poland, France, Greece, Russia, and Italy. He was the holder of
many
awards. He was killed in action on March 9, 1944, at age 28, near
Alvito,
Italy. Cemetery records indicate his date of death is off by 3
weeks and he was buried in Pomezia, Block D, Grave 439.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Christian Prayer ofRememberance
our son and brother Franz
RauchStabsgefreiter
in a mountain regiment. Campaigns in Poland, France, Greece,
Russia,
and Italy. He was the holder of many awards. He was killed
in action on March 9, 1944 near Alvito, Italy,
Age 28.

{ Translation
of
Back side }

{Statue of Jesus
praying
for a kneeling soldier.}

Photo shows the deceased dressed
in an Army uniform
and an M-43 cap.

Unterofficer Siegfried
Ebner was a member of the Luftwaffee
Field Division, which was an infantry unit that was part of the
air force. He died on 27 June 1944, during the difficult campaign
in Italy, after 1 ½ years faithful soldierly duty. Age; 19
years, 8 months. (Cemetery records show that his date of death was
January 27.) This card is different in that his photo is on
the
back. His death occurred soon after the Allies captured Rome. During June and July, the Germans fought a delaying
action to hold back the advance of the US 5th Army and the
British
8th Armies, so the Germans could fall back to their next
defensive
position on the Arno River. One source says the 19th
Luftwaffe Field Division took a stand at Cecina, just north of
Rome
on the western coast, and fought until their unit was killed or
captured.See a description of
the Luftwaffee Field Division at Luftwaffe
Ground Troops. . There are two soldiers of the
same name, rank and age who are buried at Cassino.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Memorial Prayers ofour loving, incomparable son and brotherSiegfried
EbnerUnterofficerLuftwaffee Field DivisionDied on 27 June 1944, during the difficult campaign in
Italy, after
1 ½ years faithful soldierly duty. Age; 19 years, 8
months.

{Large Photo
on back}{Unusual for photo
to fill
one side of the card}

Photo shows
him dressed in an Army uniform with the white trim on the collar and
epaulets,
signifying the rank of a non-commissioned officer. Officers and
NCO
for the Luftwaffe Field Division came from the Army. That is
probably
why he is wearing an Army uniform even though he was assigned to a
Luftwaffe
unit.

Obergefreiter Johann
Rötzer served in a Grenadier Regiment as an
infantryman--I
thought it was time I included a regular soldier. His
decorations
included the Iron Cross 2nd Class, the Eastern service medal, the Wound
Badge, and the Infantry Assault Badge. He was born on 1 August
1915
and heroically died for the fatherland on March 23, 1944 at age
28.
The card states that he died in "Italy (Velledei)". I'm not sure
if that is a town or not. There is a town of similar name just
south
of Rome. He was buried in Pomezia, Block J, Grave 420.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Prayer Rememberance of Johann
RötzerFarmer of GutenlandObergefreiter (Corporal) in a Grenadier Regiment. Holder of the iron cross 2nd Class, the Eastern service
medal, the
Wound Badge, and the Infantry Assault BadgeDied heroically on March 23, 1944in Italy (Velledei).

{Miliatary/patriotic grave scenewith Poem}

Photo shows him wearing an M-43
cap. Wehrmacht
(Army)
eagle on hat and right breast pocket.

Joseph Muller
was a Obergefreiter(corporal) in a FLAK Battalion serving in
Italy.
He was the holder of various awards. The large photo in uniform
wearing
peaked Luftwaffe hat. The photo was touched up to highlight the
details
of his uniform. He was killed in action on 23 May, 1944, at age
23. He was buried in Pomezia, Block L, Grave 549.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Killed in Action in Italy, our good son, as
our brother Joseph
Müller von OberriedFarmer, Obergefreiter in a FLAK Battalion.
Holder of various
awards.Killed in action on 28 May, 1944, at Age 23.

{Miliatary/patriotic grave scene}{Blank - no poem}

Photo shows him dressed
in an Luftwaffe uniform and peaked visor cap. The Luftwaffe cap
insignia
was the cockade & wreath with the addition of "wings". The
Luftwaffe
used a unique eagle device and small eagles on their collar rank
insignia.

Luftwaffe NCO
cap. Red piping for
FLAK
battery.

Obergefreiter Joseph
Guggenberger served in a Mountain Regiment.
He was injured in an air attack on 17 February, 1945, and died in a
field hospital the next day. He was buried in
Costermano(Verona), Block 4, Grave 130.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

Prayer Rememberance of son and brother Joseph
GuggenbergerObergefreiter in a Gerbirgsjaeger Regiment.
Injured in an air attack on 17 February 1945 and died of his injuries
on 18 February in a field hospital after 2-1/2 years of service.
He was laid to rest in a heroe's cemetery in Ferrara (Italy).

{Miliatary/patriotic grave scene}

Photo shows him
wearing an M-43
cap with an Edelweiss pin on the side just above his ear. This pin was worn by mountain troops.

Three NEWcards recently
acquired. Each of these cards are one sheet,
printed on both sides.

Grenadier Pvt.
Ferdinand Zwick died at the end of the year in
1944. This was after the Fall campaign at the GOTHIC Line and
could have occurred during the German counter-attack against the 92nd
Infantry Division at that time. Corporal Zwick is buried at the
Cemetery at Futa Pass in Block 30, Grave 323.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

In devoted
rememberance in honor ofFerdinand ZwickFather's son of WeidenthalCorporalin the
Grenadier RegimentBearer of the Iron Cross 2nd Class,
Assault Badge and Wound BadgeDied on 22 September 1944 in
defensive lines in Italy
when his young life ended.

Photo shows Ferdinand wearing an Army uniform and a visor
cap with buckles on the chin strap.

{
Back }

{ PHOTO}

{Translation
of Poem on Front }

The joy of your return
Was not granted to you.
And those who also wanted this whom you loved
still lament for you.

You sank there, as roses sink

When they are in bloom

and bitter hot tears fly.

Because you had to go for us

You see your homeland nevermore

We bend from aches and pains

Your place in our circle is empty.

Father our …Ave
Maria

Artilleryman Corporal Georg Ferstl
died during the fall campaigns at the GOTHIC Line. His place of death
is listed as south of Bologna, which is the furtherest point of the
Allied advance before the US 5th Army rested for the winter of
1944-45. He
is listed as an Unknown at the Cemetery at Futa Pass.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

For the
fatherland Died a hero’s
death
Our beloved son and brother Georg FerstlBuilder’s son from DasswangCorporal in
an Artillery Regiment
Fell on 11 October 1944 in the bloom of his life
barely 21 years old.
He rests in southern Bologna, Italy.

R.I.P.

Photo shows Georg wearing an Army uniform and a visor cap.

{
Back }

{ PHOTO
}

{Translation
of Poem on Front }

A good son and brother said farewell
to his loving parents’ home
when they called him to duty
to fight with his last breath.
O beloved son and brother, your farewell weighs on us heavily.
Though we will see you no more in this life,
When Love becomes a miracle, and tears raise the dead,
You will return from the foreign land not as a stranger.

Sans-Obegefreiter Hans Kandlbinder was a
Medic with the Luftwaffe. He died during the summer of 1944 near
Lake Trasimeno, just north of Rome. Located in this area
was the site of an aircraft
manufacture and test facility where the Germans tested the Italian
aircraft. Within 2 weeks of the fall of Rome on 6 June, the
Allies had advanced to Lake Trasimeno.

{ Translation
of
Front side }

To the devoted memory in honor of our onlybeloved son and brotherHans KandlbinderA builder’s son from StoferhofMedic-corporal of the Luftwaffe

On 26 June 1944 in Chiusi on Lake Trasimene in Italy
at the age of 23 ½ years, he died a hero’s death for his
beloved homeland.

O, loving parents, good sisters

{
Translation of
Back }

{1508 Dürer print of a knight.
}

Photo shows Hans wearing a Luftwaffe uniform with a side
cap. His rank depicted here is a private.

Research on the above
Cards

A special thanks
to Luca
Di Mascio, who is researching the Cassino battles. Di
Mascio
is from the UK but was born near Cassino. He researched the
names
on the above cards at the German war graves commission files
(Volksbundes
Deutsche Kriegsgräberfürsorge). He was able to confirm
every name and that most of these buried in Pomezia, just south of Rome.

The entire
database only
lists 4 soldiers called Siegfried Ebner
as
having died in WW2 and amazingly two of them are buried
at
Cassino, and are of the same rank and similar age! The date is
off
by 6 months; it should be January 27, 1944. One of the two
Ebner's is buried in Pomezia, Block 24 Grab 257. More research is
needed on him.